We understand, through experience.
Natalee Ward
Director
Natalee is an experienced strategic communications and media advisor specialising in agriculture, working closely with local and global organisations to help them to mitigate risks, manage reputation, and share their brand stories.
Her experience spans all sectors across Australian agriculture, from pork production, aquaculture and almonds, to export markets, foreign investment, water entitlements and forestry.
Natalee has supported organisations including Yumbah Aquaculture, Pact Group, LandMarkWhite, OneFortyOne Plantations, VicForest, Elders, Australian Pork Ltd, MLA, Hort Innovation, Seafood Industry Australia, Wine Australia, Dairy Australia, Agribusiness Australia and Wheen Bee Foundation as well as State and Commonwealth governments.
She has also provided support for the Victorian Government in Emergency Recovery, leading communications between government, the agriculture industry and rural and regional communities recovering from bushfire, floods, storms, drought and the coronavirus pandemic, also providing support in preparation to manage an Emergency Animal Disease outbreak.
In her earlier years, Natalee spent more than two decades as an award-winning journalist, starting in rural newspapers in Echuca and Shepparton and later at The Weekly Times. She’s held positions including magazines editor, business operations manager and deputy editor, and was the first woman to be appointed editor of the media outlet in its 150 years.
She was born and raised on a farm, has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, is married to journalist and bike tour magnate Murray, has two sons and runs marathons for fun.
Tess Astle
Program Manager, Communications Consultant
Tess is a trusted communications consultant with a unique blend of experience across government, agriculture, human rights issues and not-for-profits.
She works closely with organisations to understand their communications requirements, with a keen eye for detail and deadlines across campaigns and ongoing programs. As Program Manager, she brings a sharp ability to quickly understand how an organisation works and deliver comprehensive, well-coordinated communications that meet their needs. Tess holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism and Human Rights, with Honours.
Ben Noonan
Head of Creative Services
Ben brings together creative thinking, digital strategy and performance insights to build campaigns that connect with audiences and drive results.
He leads creative and digital communications projects across agriculture, not-for-profits and corporate sectors, delivering integrated campaigns spanning social media, website strategy, out-of-home, video production, EDMs, digital advertising and SEO, AEO and GEO. Ben specialises in translating complex topics into clear, audience-focused communications backed by strong strategic and data-driven thinking.
Paul Logan
Creative Director
Paul breathes life into brands through remarkable design, from the first idea to the final detail.
He is a qualified designer with experience in senior roles at some of Australia’s leading design agencies, helping to build brands that have become household names. He glides easily from developing creative, through to producing detailed brand guidelines, copywriting and technical production. He is best known for his calm demeanour and unfailing consistency to deliver under pressure.
Isabel Milincic
Communications Consultant
Isabel brings creativity, quick thinking and meticulous attention to detail to every communications challenge she takes on.
She specialises in strategic corporate communications, risk management, social media content and media relations. Isabel previously worked as a communications consultant in the education sector, and holds a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) from Deakin University.
Annabel Hay
Communications Consultant
Annabel turns ideas into compelling stories through content creation and graphic design.
She produces EDMs, social media video and stills, and web content, and is proficient across a range of design programs — bringing both creative and strategic thinking to every project. Annabel holds a Bachelor of Design and Visual Communications from Victoria University of Wellington.
Cassidy Smith
Communications Consultant
Cassidy combines a lifelong connection to agriculture with strong creative and commercial thinking.
Raised on her family’s broadacre cropping farm in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, she brings first-hand industry knowledge and a practical understanding of agriculture to her work. Cassidy holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Marcus Oldham College and a Bachelor of Graphic Design from Curtin University, giving her a broad skill set across strategic marketing, farm business management and design.
Will Johnson
Communications Consultant
Will approaches communications challenges methodically, practically and with a clear eye on what actually works.
He brings strong critical thinking with a particular focus on the agriculture sector, including practical communications work supporting farm crisis response training and primary producers. Will is currently studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sydney.
Amelie Gibson
Communications Consultant
Amelie brings curiosity, energy and a strong analytical mindset to the communications challenges she works on.
She supports the team across research, content and digital communications, contributing a fresh perspective and strong attention to detail. Amelie is currently studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, developing strong analytical skills alongside her practical communications experience.
